Bye Weeks: Bears, Buccaneers, Falcons, Jets, Packers, Raiders

Start 'Em

Steven Jackson vs. NO
The Saints have allowed opposing RBs an average of 5.4 yards per carry; the St. Louis Rams (5.5) are the only team in the NFL with a higher number. If Jackson receives close to 20 carries he has a good shot at 100 yards rushing. His 4.9 yards per carry this season represents his best average since his rookie year (5.0 in 2003). He was decent (18 carries, 70 yards, TD) against the Cowboys, arguably the top run defense in the league. Historically speaking, S-Jax has a solid track record versus the Saints; in four career games with at least 16 carries, he has averaged 100 rushing yards, 5 receptions and 1 TD per game. He should be active this week.

Murray is making his mark.

DeMarco Murray @ Phi
Rookie RB Murray carried the ball 25 times for 253 yards last week against the Rams, which broke the Cowboys all-time single-game rushing record. In doing so, he surpassed legendary Cowboy RBs Emmit Smith and Tony Dorsett. Felix Jones, out with an ankle sprain, is in his 4th NFL season and only once (!) has he had 20 or more carries in a game. So at this point in time, you have to believe that Head Coach Jason Garrett knows where to butter his bread. Who knows what will happen upon Jones’ return, but right now, Murray needs to be in lineups. While a repeat performance should not be anticipated, the Eagles have allowed 4.8 yards per carry and 6 TDs on the ground this season and Murray should be counted on to do some damage.

Jackie Battle vs. SD
The Chargers were victimized by the Jets rush attack last week as underwhelming RB Shonn Greene had his best game of the season (112 yards) and first 100-yard game in 17 weeks, dating to 2010. This bodes well for Battle in his prime-time matchup versus San Diego. After a bye, Battle followed up his 19-carry, 119-yard Week 5 effort with 16 carries for 76 yards last week. For reasons unknown to this writer, the Chiefs are still giving too many carries to Thomas Jones (9 carries, 19 yards last week). Both Dexter McCluster and Le’Ron McClain are also in the mix, but Battle is the best bet for touches. The Chargers have allowed an unimpressive 4.7 yards per carry to opposing RBs and the Chiefs can run the ball (129.3 yards per game – 7th in NFL). I like Battle’s chances for his first TD of the season.

Pierre Thomas @ StL
Mark Ingram missed practice on Thursday as he deals with a bruised heel; if he is unable to play this week, Pierre Thomas makes for a quality bye-week RB2 plug. Thomas was awful in Week 6 but rebounded with his best effort of the season against the Colts, setting season-highs for both rushing (10 carries, 57 yards) and receiving (5 catches, 68 yards). Even if Ingram plays, Thomas can be considered for a flex spot against an atrocious Rams run defense who have allowed an average of 183.8 rushing yards per game, including 236 to the Eagles and 294 to the Cowboys. The Rams have served up 5 TDs on the ground and 4 runs of 40 or more yards.

Bench 'Em

Peyton Hillis @ SF
Way back in Week 2, Hillis romped for 2 TDs and 94 yards on 27 carries against the Colts. Since then, he has played (albeit sparingly) in two of the Browns four games, totaling 16 carries for 60 yards (3.75 yards per carry) and 5 receptions for 23 yards with 0 TDs. Last year, in his breakout 11 TD season, Hillis averaged 4.4 yards per carry, so his 3.5 in 2011 is rather disappointing. He did not practice Thursday, but is on track for at least 20 touches if he plays, which is great, but those touches will come against the stout run defense of the 49ers, who have yet to allow a rushing TD this season. San Francisco allows 3.6 yards per carry to opposing RBs, which ranks 7th in the NFL.

Bernard Scott @ Sea
Scott has seen his ownership levels increase in the past week in anticipation of his 1 game stint as a feature back for the Bengals as RB Cedric Benson will serve his suspension. While an intriguing option, consider that the Seahawks run defense has been quite solid this year. They lead the NFL in opponent’s average yards per carry (3.1); the Ravens, Bengals and Cowboys all sit at 3.3. It’s a tough spot for Scott to make a big impact; in his limited role this season, which has ranged from between 2 and 11 carries per week, Scott has averaged just 2.8 yards per carry. I’m expecting better than 2.8 yards per carry from him this week - but not much more - as the Seattle defense tends to play well at CenturyLink Field.

Marshawn Lynch vs. Cin
Seahawks Coach Pete Carroll said he expects Lynch to play this weekend, but fantasy owners were burned last week as Lynch was a late scratch due to back spasms. Not only is it tough to trust a RB with lingering back issues, but the Seattle offense is poor. Furthermore, a matchup with the Bengals and their top-5 run defense does not help matters. Cincinnati has allowed just 3.3 yards per carry (tied for 2nd with Ravens & Cowboys). Until his 47-yard scamper during Week 5 against the Giants – which took Lynch’s average yards per carry from 3.4 to its current level of 4.1 – his numbers this season were brutal. He is not a great option this week.

DeAngelo Williams vs. Min
Williams, the $43 million dollar man, surprisingly has not yet had more than 13 touches in any game this season. Meanwhile, backfield mate Jonathan Stewart has found pay dirt in consecutive weeks, has 21 receptions (compared to 8 by Williams), and could be emerging as the preferred option of the two. It’s not that he has severely outplayed Williams, but Stewart’s pass catching ability definitely helps. Furthermore, QB Cam Newton (7 rush TDs) also steals some of Williams’ thunder. I do not trust DeAngelo this week against a Vikings squad that has allowed an average of 87.9 rushing yards per game and 3.6 yards per carry.

Wide Receivers